Valve system and method

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a vacuum system including a housing and at least one filter disposed within the housing. A valve assembly can be at least partially disposed within the housing and can be in fluid communication with the filter. The valve assembly can include a manifold and a support member coupled to a plurality of dampers. The plurality of dampers can include a first damper and a second damper that include unequal sizes. The support member and the dampers can be configured and arranged to move between a first position and a second position.

1 . A vacuum system comprising:
 a housing;   at least one filter being disposed within the housing; and   a valve assembly being at least partially disposed within the housing and being in fluid communication with the at least one filter, the valve assembly further comprising
 a manifold, 
 a support member coupled to a plurality of dampers, the plurality of dampers including a first damper and a second damper, wherein the first damper and the second damper comprise unequal sizes, and 
 the support member and the plurality of dampers being configured and arranged to move between a first position and a second position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum system of  claim 1  and further comprising a motor coupled to the valve assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one filter comprises at least one of a permanent filter and a bag filter. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum system of  claim 1  and further comprising a movement device coupled to a portion of the valve assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve assembly comprises one or more biasing members. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum system of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold comprises one or more apertures. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum system of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold comprises one or more seating regions, wherein at least some of the seating regions are configured and arranged to engage at least one of the plurality of dampers. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum system of  claim 7 , wherein the manifold comprises a first seating region and a second seating region configured and arranged so that when the support member and the plurality of dampers are in the first position, the first damper is substantially adjacent to the first seating region and the second damper is substantially adjacent to the second seating region. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum system of  claim 8 , wherein the manifold comprises a third seating region and a fourth seating region configured and arranged so that when the support member and the plurality of dampers are in the second position, the second damper is substantially adjacent to the fourth seating region. 
     
     
         10 . A vacuum system comprising:
 a housing including a motor enclosure and a filter enclosure;   a filter being at least partially disposed in the filter enclosure;   a manifold at least partially disposed in the motor enclosure, the manifold including a support member coupled to a first damper and a second damper, wherein the first damper and the second damper are configured and arranged to function as a relief valve for a motor; and   a movement device coupled to at least a portion of the manifold, and wherein the movement device is configured and arranged to at least move the support member and the first and the second dampers from a first position to a second position.   
     
     
         11 . The vacuum system of  claim 10 , wherein the first damper comprises a greater size than the second damper. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum system of  claim 10 , wherein the movement device comprises a damper motor. 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum system of  claim 10 , wherein the filter comprises at least one of a permanent filter and a bag filter. 
     
     
         14 . The vacuum system of  claim 10 , wherein the manifold comprises a plurality of apertures, and wherein the plurality of apertures includes at least one exhaust aperture and at least one motor aperture. 
     
     
         15 . The vacuum system of  claim 14 , wherein the motor is coupled to the manifold substantially adjacent to the motor aperture. 
     
     
         16 . The vacuum system of  claim 14 , wherein the housing comprises at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and wherein the at least one exhaust aperture is in fluid communication with the at least one outlet. 
     
     
         17 . The vacuum system of  claim 10  and further comprising at least one biasing member at least partially positioned within the manifold. 
     
     
         18 . The vacuum system of  claim 10 , wherein the manifold comprises a plurality of seating regions that are configured and arranged to engage at least one of the first damper and the second damper. 
     
     
         19 . A method for assembling vacuum system, the method comprising:
 positioning a filter at least partially within a housing;   disposing a valve assembly at least partially within the housing so that the valve assembly is in fluid communication with the filter, the valve assembly including a manifold comprising a support member coupled to a first damper and a second damper, and wherein the first damper and the second damper comprise different sizes; and   coupling a movement device to the valve assembly, wherein the movement device is configured and arranged to at least move the support member and the first and the second dampers from a first position to a second position.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , and further comprising positioning a biasing member at least partially within the manifold.